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The transfer window may have closed a week ago, but Liverpool have today officially completed the signing of 18-year-old fullback Anderson Arroyo from Colombian top flight side Forteleza for an undisclosed fee.
As the player will not be eligible for a work permit—a situation that would have been unlikely to change in the summer—he has been loaned out to Spanish second division side Real Mallorca for the next 18 months.
The hope will be that over those next 18 months he will help Mallorca earn promotion this season, impress in La Liga next year, and receive his first senior appearances for Colombia in order to earn an English work permit.
Arroyo has been a regular for Colombia at the U20 level and made 22 first team appearances for Forteleza, playing on both sides of the pitch. Mallorca, who he is now joining, currently lead the Segunda.
Liverpool were eager to push through a deal for the young fullback—despite the potential work permit difficulties—after he impressed during a trial at the club last year.